How to turn off the screen on Xiaomi during a call: all working methods

Why Xiaomi’s screen doesn’t go out when you call and how to fix it

Have you ever encountered a situation where, while talking on a Xiaomi phone, the screen stays on even though you're putting it to your ear? Not only is it annoying, it also leads to random taps, interruptions, or even hands-free activation, and the reason is because of the proximity sensor, a small sensor next to the front camera that's supposed to tell you when the phone is in front of your face.

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI firmware, this feature sometimes crashes due to software errors, sensor contamination or incorrect settings. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved without going to the service center - just know where to look for the desired parameters. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to turn off the screen during a call, including hidden MIUI settings and hardware checks.

Before you get to the instructions, make sure your smartphone is not in developer mode with sensors disabled – this is a common cause of problems. Also check if there are third-party call management apps (such as Truecaller or Google Phone) installed that may conflict with system settings.

Method 1: Calibration of the proximity sensor through the engineering menu

The most effective method is to manually calibrate the sensor through a hidden engineering menu, which works on all Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12) and does not require root rights. Importantly, after calibration, the sensor will be reset to factory settings, which often solves the problem of the “hang” sensor.

To get into the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484### (some models may require ##4636###).
3. Select Proximity Sensor (Proximity Sensor).
4. Press Calibrate and follow the instructions on the screen.

After calibration, check the sensor:

• 📱 Cover the top of the screen with your hand – the sensor should react (a green indicator will appear on the screen).
• 🖐️ Remove your hand – the indicator should go out.
• 📞 Call another phone and check if the screen goes out when you approach.

Make sure there is no protective film or glass on the screen that covers the sensor.

Close all applications except the engineering menu

Check the battery charge (should be >20%)

Do not interrupt the calibration process.-->

If the calibration didn't work, it could be physical damage to the sensor or contamination, in which case try to gently wipe the area around the front chamber with an alcohol wipe (don't use abrasive materials!). If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Configure the call parameters in MIUI

MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to manually control the behavior of the screen during a call, a technique that requires no technical knowledge and is suitable for users who do not want to interfere with system settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Phone app and open its settings.
3. Select Permissions → Additional authorizations.
4. Activate the option to Change system settings (if it is disabled).
5. Go back to the basic settings of the phone and open Settings → System → Additional → Special features.
6. Find the Automatic Disconnect screen and turn it on.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Screen. → Sleeping mode.
• 📱 Set a minimum waiting time (e.g. 15 seconds).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check the sensor.

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On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), the option is hidden. To see it, turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings) and activate Debugging via USB.

Important: if after these manipulations the screen still does not go out, the problem may lie in conflict with the MIUI shell. In this case, resetting the settings of the Phone application (see Method 4) will help.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party utilities that force the screen to turn off during a call.

Example of Automate setup:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Create a new stream (New Flow).
3. Add the phone call started block.
4. Add the Screen Off block (Switch off the screen).
5. Save and activate the flow.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Proximity Sensor Fix require permission to use over other windows. Do not give this permission to unknown programs, this can lead to data leakage.

Method 4: Reset the settings of the "Phone" application

If the proximity sensor is working correctly (checked in the engineering menu), but the screen still does not go out, the problem may be a failure of the settings of the system application Phone, in which case the reset to factory parameters without losing data will help.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and click on it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 When you first call, the system can request permissions – provide them.
• 📲 Check if your contacts are reset (they will stay if you sync with Google).
• 🔧 If the problem persists, try updating the Phone app via Google Play.

⚠️ Note: on some models (e.g, POCO F4) Resetting the phone application may cause you to lose your call history. Pre-export it to Settings → Google → Backup.

Method 5: Checking for hardware faults

If none of the software methods worked, the reason could be a physical malfunction of the proximity sensor or plume, which is true for phones that fell, were exposed to moisture or were repaired.

How to diagnose a hardware problem:

1. Visual inspection: Check if there are cracks or dents near the front camera.
2. Sensor test: In the engineering menu (#6484##) see if the sensor is responsive to the approach of the hand.
3. Trail check: If the sensor is not responding at all, the plume may have gone (disassembly required).

Typical signs of hardware failure:

• 🔴 The sensor does not respond to any action.
• 💧 Divorces or artifacts appear on the screen when you call.
• 🔌 The phone overheats in the upper part of the screen.

If you suspect a hardware breakdown:

• 🛠️ Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (Warranty Repairs Takes) 3-7 days).
• 💰 The cost of replacing the sensor: from 800 to 2500 rubles (depending on the model).
• 📦 Before visiting the service, make a backup copy of the data through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

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If the proximity sensor is physically damaged, the software won't help, and then you need to replace the module, which is best left to the professionals.

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

Even if you managed to solve the problem, it is worth knowing about the nuances that will help to avoid repeated failures:

• 📱 Do not use thick cases - they can block the sensor signal.
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In newer versions of firmware, sensor errors are often corrected. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Do not manually disable the proximity sensor (via Developer Mode) unless you are sure of the consequences – this can cause the screen to be permanently turned on while calling.
• 🔋 Watch the battery power – at levels below 10%, the system can ignore sensor commands to save energy.

Common user errors:

• ❌ Using alcohol to clean the sensor, it can damage the protective coating. Use only special wipes for optics.
• ❌ Resetting your phone to factory settings without backing up is an extreme measure that rarely helps with sensor issues.
• ❌ Installing custom firmware (like LineageOS) without compatibility checks – this can completely disable the sensor.

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If you often ring in gloves or in bright sunlight, the proximity sensor may not work smoothly, in which case temporarily activate the In-pocket mode in the screen settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions